Filipinos in Egypt awaiting repatriation from Sudan:
- Around 320 Filipinos who fled conflict-ridden Sudan are currently staying in shelters and hotels in Egypt.
- They are awaiting repatriation back to the Philippines.
- The Department of Foreign Affairs aims to repatriate them by the upcoming weekend.
- No Filipinos are stranded at the Egyptian-Sudanese border; all have entered Egypt.
- More than 50 Filipinos from Port Sudan have reached Saudi Arabia, thanks to the assistance of the Saudi government.
Repatriation efforts and remaining individuals:
- At least 179 Filipinos have been successfully repatriated from Sudan to the Philippines.
- Approximately 100 Filipinos still remain in Sudan.
- A final repatriation plan is in place, with two buses scheduled to pick up Filipinos from Sudan and bring them to Port Sudan this week.
- The government urges those still in Sudan to make contact to facilitate their repatriation.
Introduction
The recent outbreak of violence in Sudan, which commenced on April 15, is rooted in a power struggle between two key factions: the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a powerful paramilitary group. These forces, who were once allies during the ousting of former president Omar al-Bashir, in 2021 are now engaged. However, tensions escalated as discussions arose regarding the integration of the RSF into the military, leading to the eruption of conflict.
The main point of contention revolves around determining control and identifying the military’s commander-in-chief during the integration process. This power struggle is essentially a battle for authority over the nation. While the majority of the clashes are concentrated in the capital city of Khartoum, reports indicate that violence has also spread to other parts of the country. Tragically, the fighting has resulted in a significant loss of life, with at least 500 people killed and thousands more injured over a period of three weeks.
The Government’s repatriation efforts for Filipinos in Sudan
Amidst these struggles, the government of the Philippines has been committed to evacuating its citizens as soon as possible. Around 320 Filipinos, who had fled the conflict in Sudan, are currently residing in shelters and hotels in Egypt while awaiting repatriation to the Philippines. This was confirmed by Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Affairs, Eduardo Jose de Vega, on Saturday.
De Vega said: “We currently have 320 individuals who are being provided with shelter in various hotels”, speaking from Cairo in an interview with ABS-CBN TeleRadyo. He also stated: “No Filipinos are stranded at the Egyptian-Sudanese border anymore; everyone has already entered. It’s only a matter of repatriating them one by one”.
So far, at least 179 Filipinos have been successfully repatriated from Sudan to the Philippines. However, an estimated 100 Filipinos still remain in Sudan. De Vega urged them to make contact, saying: “We are pleading for them to contact us. We have our final repatriation, and there are two buses that will pick up Filipinos this week and bring them to Port Sudan”. Secretary Susan Ople of the Migrant Workers Office previously mentioned that American and Saudi Arabian companies are considering hiring Filipino workers affected by the conflict in Sudan.
The situation remains challenging for the Filipinos stranded in Egypt, but efforts are underway to repatriate them to their homeland and provide assistance during this difficult time. The Philippine government, through the Department of Foreign Affairs, is coordinating with various entities and urging those still in Sudan to contact them for necessary arrangements. The hope is that the remaining individuals will be brought back safely, reuniting them with their families and loved ones in the Philippines.
Conclusion
As the fight continues in Sudan, it is yet to be seen what the future holds. Although major international parties have called for a truce and ceasefire, there is still no end in sight. Meanwhile, Sudanese citizens continue to flood out of the danger zone, which is the capital area. Now, while the future may remain uncertain, one thing is sure; The Philippine government will continue to double its efforts to get its citizens back to their loved ones.